Jason Jewell
From start to finish, this was a wild football game.
Youngker came out on fire. Their defense forced a punt and their offense went right to work, scoring on a 46 yard touchdown run by junior Greg Dotstry. PAT was no good, 6-0 Roughrider.
Buckeye fumbled the kickoff, Youngker recovered in scoring position and used some trickery to get in the end zone. A double pass caught by Parker Fleming put Youngker up 12-0 midway through the1st quarter.
Buckeye answered after QB Joseph Perez ran in for a score after several other nice plays on the drive. 12-7.
I am not sure I have ever seen anything quite like what transpired next. Youngker fumbled on their first play from scrimmage, only to see Buckeye fumble it right back a few plays later, only to see Youngker fumble the ball back to Buckeye. This time the Hawks capitalized on the turnover on a Perez to Albert Buelna TD pass from 25 yards out. Buckeye took the lead 14-12 headed into the second quarter.
Youngker had a big second quarter scoring twice to take a 26-14 lead into halftime. QB Shane Cruz ran in a TD and a two-point try and Zavier Reeves scored near the end of the second quarter for the Roughriders.
The third quarter was all offense for both teams as neither defense made a stop. Headed into the fourth quarter, Youngker lead 39-27.
Buckeye’s defense came up with the first defensive stop of the second half, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Buckeye’s Darzell Smith for a score. Early in the fourth, Youngker was still up 39-34.
Youngker drove the field and got into the red zone but a failed fake field goal left Buckye a chance.
Hawk QB Perez lead his team down the field, completing first down passes to Buelna and Anthony Smart before rumbling 34 yards on a draw play. Perez then ran QB counter twice in a row, the second a four yard scoring play. The two-point try was no good. Buckeye regained the lead 40-39 with 2:26 to play.
Youngker moved the ball to the plus side of the 50 but three consecutive tackles for loss gave the Roughriders fourth and long. That pass fell incomplete and gave Buckeye the win.
Final: Buckeye 40 Youngker 39
Bottomline
This was a great football game. Hats off to both teams. Tony Cluff is doing a great job at Youngker. What a comeback by Buckeye.
Game Ball
Buckeye QB Joseph Perez not only scored the game winning TD but is the guy that makes their offense click. He was part of several Hawk TDs.
